Bay Oval: Indian women’s cricket team skipper Mithali Raj on Sunday became the first woman cricketer and only the third cricketer ever appearing in the six ICC Women’s Cricket World Cups. The veteran batter had made her World Cup debut in 2000 and featured in 2005, 2009, 2013, 2017, and now in 2022.
Leading the Women in Blue against Pakistan in the ongoing world cup match as team India took the field for their tournament opener against Pakistan at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui. The 39-year-old could manage just nine runs in 36 deliveries as she was caught by Pakistan Diana Baig off Nashra Sandhu’s bowling.
In doing so, Mithali ensured the record enters a new decade — former Pakistan cricketer Javed Miandad appeared in the first six Men’s Cricket World Cups between 1975 and 1996 with Sachin Tendulkar beginning his World Cup career in 1992.
Another day, another record for Mithali Raj 🙌
Her SIXTH World Cup campaign begins today 😱#PAKvIND | #CWC22 pic.twitter.com/pylpIbMeC0
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) March 6, 2022
By the time Tendulkar’s fairy-tale finish came in 2011, Mithali had already captained India at a World Cup after having made her tournament debut in 2000. She had surpassed former New Zealand cricketer Debbie Hockley and England’s Charlotte Edwards. And she also became the second India cricketer after Sachin Tendulkar to have played in 6 ODI World Cups.
Meanwhile, India won the toss and opted to bat against Pakistan in the ongoing Women’s World Cup match. As of writing, Indian women recovered brilliantly after enduring a poor start at the beginning to post 244/7 in their 50 overs. While Pakistan women had just begun their innings, with 4/0 after 1 over.
